Helping vulnerable families with energy bills

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Environment Minister Rob Stokes today announced a re-elected Baird Government will invest $61.5 million into an energy efficiency package which will help low income households reduce their power use and cut their energy bills.

“NSW is number one for the economy and we will ensure it is also number one for the environment,” Mr Baird said.

“This $61.5 million Energy Efficiency Action Plan will help to ensure energy efficient appliances are accessible to vulnerable households across NSW.

“Under this package low income households will get support to buy energy efficient appliances such as fridges, washing machines and water heaters.

“Providing households with more efficient appliances will result in lower power bills for families and reduce demand on the network.”

Mr Stokes said the NSW Government will partner with housing providers and appliance retailers in order to tailor the program to those households that will most benefit from this support.

“This new funding demonstrates our commitment to reducing costs for vulnerable families through greater efficient energy, making NSW the number one place for innovative energy and environmental pragmatism in Australia,” Mr Stokes said.

“Under this plan the upfront costs of appliances will be reduced for eligible families through the use of low interest loan schemes and price discounts enabled by program partners including retailers.

“The program will also work with community housing organisations and the owners and managers of low income rental properties to improve home fixtures such as heating, cooling and lighting, reducing energy bills and making homes cheaper to live in.

“As part of this package $16.1 million will be committed to help businesses access energy efficiency opportunities.

“This is about being smarter and thriftier about energy use, which in turn will provide NSW will a powerful and sustainable economic advantage.

“We are leading by example, through our Resource Efficiency Policy, with NSW Government agencies anticipated to invest $290 million in energy efficiency and on-site electricity generation projects over the next decade.

“All NSW government departments will undertake energy efficiency projects for 90 per cent of their energy use, reducing their energy bills across the NSW government by $55 million a year.

“We are now making it easier and cheaper for families and business to access finance for energy efficiency upgrades and provide the knowledge needed to make changes to energy habits.”